The document discusses creating language learning activities from popular songs. It recommends selecting a song that is hot, safe, and learnful, and then using the song for input through meaning-focused listening and reading. Students can use the song for output through meaning-focused speaking and writing exercises. Activities can zoom in on language-focused learning or zoom out for fluency development. The document provides examples using the song "Am I Wrong" by Nico & Vinz.

1. Julie Bytheway
Teacher Educator
The Netherlands
Stenden University of Applied Sciences

2. Create language learning activities
from Top 40 songs
Nico & Vinz. (2013). Am I wrong, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1sT4ILG0w
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 2/12

3. in school
Visscher, H. (Photographer) (2010) In het klaslokaal [Photograph]. Retrieved June 30, 2014 from
http://www.refdag.nl/kerkplein/kerknieuws/bovenkerkorgel_in_het_klaslokaal_1_522511
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 3/12

4. outside school
[Untitled picture of child with iPad]. Retrieved July 11,
2014 from http://www.mobilemac.nl/tag/kinderen/
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 4/12

5. connect & create
Hardy, L. (Artist) (2006) One step at a time [Photograph]. Retrieved July 6, 2014
from https://www.flickr.com/photos/lachlanhardy/221868712/in/photostream/
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 5/12

6. select a song
hot?
safe?
learnful?
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 6/12

7. fast & justify
use input
use output
zoom in
zoom out
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 7/12
Nation, P. (2007). The four strands. Innovation in language learning and teaching, 1(1), 1-12.

8. use input
meaning-focused listening & reading
Nico & Vinz. (2013). Am I wrong, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1sT4ILG0w
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 8/12
I aint tryna do

9. use output
meaning-focused speaking & writing
Nico & Vinz. (2013). Am I wrong, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1sT4ILG0w
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 9/12
If one thing I know, I’ll …

10. zoom in
language-focused learning
Nico & Vinz. (2013). Am I wrong, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1sT4ILG0w
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 10/12
prediction

11. zoom out
fluency development
Nico & Vinz. (2013). Am I wrong, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1sT4ILG0w
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 11/12
trying to reach the
things I cannot see

12. select & create
@JulieBTW bytheway.edublogs.org 12/12